hold 1 of 2

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as in to contain
to have within the mysterious chest held an ancient book on magic spells and potions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to accommodate
to make or have room for the couple needed to rent a hall that would hold 300 people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal held the camera on the actor throughout the scene

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hold

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noun

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as in grip
the act or manner of holding make sure you have a firm hold on the chain saw before you turn it on

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in contact
the state or fact of being able to exchange information regarding one's current situation I worry that I won't be able to get hold of you in an emergency

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word hold different from other verbs like it?

The words accommodate and contain are common synonyms of hold. While all three words mean "to have or be capable of having within," hold implies the capacity of containing or the usual or permanent function of containing or keeping.

the bookcase will hold all my textbooks

When is it sensible to use accommodate instead of hold?

The words accommodate and hold are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accommodate stresses holding without crowding or inconvenience.

the hall can accommodate 500 people

When would contain be a good substitute for hold?

While the synonyms contain and hold are close in meaning, contain implies the actual presence of a specified substance or quantity within something.

the can contains a quart of oil

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hold
Verb
The Star found police department documents showing La Guardia had held that position since at least 2018. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2025 To arrive at the list, the researchers consulted with over two dozen AI experts, surveyed the AAAI community, and held various workshops. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
The lower court had ruled that Dellinger was entitled to remain in his position, but the appeals court's decision now puts that ruling on hold. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 But on Monday, Tal Alexander’s legal team asked Reid to reopen the detention hearing and put his transfer to New York on hold. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hold
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hold
Verb
  • The crowd - like at almost every cricket ground in the world when India plays - was partisan for the men in blue with giddy fans riding the emotion of every twist and turn of a gripping final.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Has the league prepared her to take the next step with the Chicago Sky? Daily Horoscope for March 09, 2025 Daily Horoscope for March 09, 2025 Anti-Trump, Musk protest at Orland Park Tesla countered by MAGA demonstrators Five years ago, COVID gripped the world in fear.
    Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more!
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2025
  • One official familiar with the negotiations said the mere launch of Phase 2 talks would keep the truce intact, according to the language of the deal.
    Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Freedom girls head coach Mike Bush thought Clermont’s 2024 finish led to Saturday’s win.
    Steve Gorches, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
  • At first, paramedics thought the dog wanted to play.
    Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Most drugstore shampoos contain harsh ingredients that dry out the scalp.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Research from Cisco Talos threat intelligence in November 2024 revealed that 60% of all emails that contain a QR code were spam, and the majority of spam comes complete with a malicious threat these days.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Some brands like Maxi-Cosi have a ton of compatibility, while UppaBaby's car seats have much more limited lists.
    Nena Farrell, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The diner should have a whole smorgasbord to choose from.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The filing stated that almost 5,800 USAID awards for future work, and approximately 4,100 distributed through the State Department, will be terminated, while around 500 USAID awards and roughly 2,700 State Department awards will be retained.
    MaryAlice Parks, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2025
  • That contest went the 12-round distance, with Herring retaining his belt.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Some of this is driven by pure necessity, such as the need to accommodate a legacy application with a proprietary toolset.
    Jason Andersen, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Seven sites are projected to accommodate more than 1.5 million people with temporary housing, provided to the displaced during the reconstruction process.
    Emma Graham, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Human marketers can empathize with audiences, grasping their pain points and aspirations to create messages that evoke trust, joy, or urgency.
    Michael Ashley, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Clearly, that's a reality which Moscow and Beijing have already grasped.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hold.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hold. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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